It’s a crime with many victims across Philadelphia — thieves targeting unlocked cars and stealing whatever they can find inside. Early in the morning on Tuesday, May 26, surveillance video captured thieves in action again in Philadelphia’s Roxborough neighborhood. Three cars were seen d riving down Rock Street while several people walked up and down the block checking door handles of parked cars. Additional surveillance video shared with NBC10 showed three cars slowly driving down nearby Dawson Street. One person was seen opening the door of an SUV and searching through the trunk. “They just came through one morning and I must of left it unlocked the night prior and there was just papers all over,” victim Nick Wade said. Another victim, Donna Smyth, said thieves stole her vehicle within seconds. “They got out of the car and in seconds they took our car and they just rode down the street and we never got our car back,” Smyth said. One Roxborough resident, who did not want to be identified, said she now takes extra precautions before going to bed. “Definitely always try to lock it, right before bed. Is the house locked, is the car locked and then go to bed,” she said. She also said her family uses additional security measures to protect their car. “We put the club on the car, and then we use a key fob and that’s back toward the back of the house,” Smyth explained. According to Philadelphia police, auto theft is down nearly 6% so far this year compared to 2025. Theft from autos has dropped by 16%. However, police said thefts from vehicles have increased by 19% over the last two months. Investigators told NBC10 they believe the same group may be connected to both surveillance videos. Police are urging drivers to lock their car doors and double-check before heading inside. This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less